Atherectomy devices and methods

Abstract

The devices and methods generally relate to treatment of occluded body lumens. In particular, the present devices and method relate to removal of the occluding material from the blood vessels as well as other body lumens.

We claim: 
     
       1. A device for removing material from a body lumen, the device comprising:
 a catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, and a catheter lumen extending therethrough; 
 a cutter assembly located at the distal end of the catheter; 
 a torque shaft extending through the catheter lumen and attached to the cutter assembly for rotating a cutter of the cutter assembly; 
 a sweep frame positioned coaxially with respect to the distal end of the catheter and coupled to the cutter assembly such that the cutter assembly prevents the sweep frame from moving distally, the sweep frame comprising a weakened section on a first radial side such that compression of the sweep frame causes deflection towards the first radial side; 
 sweep member coupled to the sweep frame, the sweep member comprising a tubular structure axially moveable within the catheter and having sufficient column strength to compress and rotate the sweep frame; and 
 a sweep control knob coupled to the sweep member and rotatable independently relative to the torque shaft, the sweep control knob configured to, when axially advanced and rotated, sweep the cutter assembly in an arc manner. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1  further comprising a lumen extending through the torque shaft and the cutter accommodating passage of a guide wire. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1  wherein the cutter comprises a plurality of cutting flutes. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 3  where an edge of each of the cutting flutes is helical. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1  wherein the torque shaft has at least one helical conveyor member wound about an exterior such that rotation of the torque shaft conveys material across a length of the torque shaft. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1  further comprising a guide wire. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1  further comprising a burr rotatably located on a tip of the cutter assembly.